Anesthesia with vaginal delivery of a baby

Whether or not to use pain control during a vaginal delivery is a very personal decision.  At Swiss OB/GYN, we encourage all of our patients to explore their options for pain control and chose what is best for them.  Overall there are four broad categories for pain control.

First there is no pain medicine.  Many patients today are choosing to deliver without the assistance of any anesthesia, which is a completely acceptable option. 

Second, there is the option of IV pain medications.  There are several options that a physician may choose from which have been proven to cause some pain relief with delivery.  That being said, a Cochrane review, (a large think tank that reviews all research), found that the overall pain relief was poor, and that rates of nausea and vomiting were increased.  In my practice, I do not give IV pain medications to individuals with advanced cervical dilation.  The reasoning behind this is that these classes of medications can decrease respiratory drive.  Mom can easily overcome this; however, if baby is born with the medication still in his/her system, it can provide a confusing picture to the infants caregiver. 

The third option for pain control is Nitrous Oxide.  This is an inhaled gas and it is available at Baylor University Medical Center.  You have probably heard it called laughing gas, and potentially could have used it while at the dentist.  In a Cochrane review, Nitrous Oxide was found to work better than nothing for pain relief.  The most common side effects were nausea and vomiting, as well as feeling either dizzy or drowsy. 

Finally, there is the option for an epidural.  There is a qualified Anesthesiologist at the hospital that would be placing your epidural.  Currently over 60% of all women giving birth in the United States use an epidural as their choice for pain control.  It is important to be aware, that to date, there is no evidence that has ever shown an epidural leading to an increased risk of a cesarean delivery. 

Your choice of pain control is exactly that- YOURS.  As your physicians, we simply desire for you to be educated on the matter, and make the choice that is best suited for you and your growing family.

Please ask your physician regarding any questions about your pain control options or for more details on any of the above!